Automated flood irrigation system and method of using the same

ABSTRACT

A method for flood irrigation includes releasing water from a riser valve for flooding a portion of a field through a control of a corresponding riser device of a plurality of riser devices, wherein the corresponding riser device is deployed at a location proximate to the riser valve, receiving a wireless signal from a corresponding sensor device of a plurality of sensor devices for a detection of a flood condition, wherein the corresponding sensor device is deployed at a location proximate to where the water from the riser valve is expected to flood; and stopping the release of the water from the riser valve.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is claims the benefits of and priority, under 35U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/037,960,filed Aug. 15, 2014; the above-identified application being fullyincorporated herein by reference.

COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

A computer program listing appendix containing the source code ofcomputer programs that may be used with the present invention isincorporated by reference in its entirety and appended to thisapplication as one (1) original compact disc, and one (1) identical copythereof, containing a total of twenty-four (24) files as follows:

Filename Size (bytes) Date of Creation Riser_1.ino 8,813 Apr. 15, 2015Riser_2.ino 9,016 Apr. 15, 2015 Riser_3.ino 9,016 Apr. 15, 2015Riser_4.ino 9,016 Apr. 15, 2015 Riser_5.ino 9,016 Apr. 15, 2015Riser_6.ino 9,016 Apr. 15, 2015 Riser_7.ino 9,016 Apr. 15, 2015Riser_8.ino 9,016 Apr. 15, 2015 Riser_9.ino 9,017 Apr. 15, 2015Riser_10.ino 9,019 Apr. 15, 2015 Riser_11.ino 9,150 Apr. 15, 2015 RiserCode.ino 22,483 Aug. 15, 2015 Sensor_1.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015Sensor_2.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015 Sensor_3.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015Sensor_4.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015 Sensor_5.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015Sensor_6.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015 Sensor_7.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015Sensor_8.ino 3,788 Aug. 15, 2015 Sensor_9.ino 3,789 Aug. 15, 2015Sensor_10.ino 3,792 Aug. 15, 2015 Sensor_11.ino 3,311 Aug. 15, 2015Sensor Code.ino 630 Aug. 15, 2015

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to an automated flood irrigation system,and more particularly to a method and system for automatic floodirrigation using sensors and communication system.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Irrigating crops as efficiently as possible is a primary objective forfarmers in the 21st century. Flood irrigation is a prominent form ofirrigation utilized in the agricultural industry. Several differentirrigation methods exist in modern agriculture, including wheel lines,center pivot systems, sprinkler systems, and surface or floodirrigation.

The significant options on the market for irrigating large sections ofland are both sprinkler forms. One method utilizes wheel lines and theother utilizes center pivot systems. These two forms are very costly andhave high evaporative losses.

For example, wheel lines are effective at watering large areas that havenot had thorough ground preparation. However, they are expensive toimplement and they also experience large volumes of water evaporatingbefore the water reaches the ground. Center pivot lines are capable ofvery uniform watering, but must travel in a circle, which leaves part ofthe field unusable.

Flood irrigation is a technique for irrigating that involves theflooding over a specific graded field, which allows water to permeateall sections of the field. Many methods and structures for irrigatingland have been developed. These methods and structures include measuringgate, turnout, border takeout, division box, canvas check, parshallflume, drop, contour ditch, low pressure pipe line, gated pipe, andconcrete lined ditch check, drop, and takeout.

Specifically, in various approaches, the water may flow from a supply(e.g., canal, riser) to the areas to be irrigated through a gradient ofthe land. For example, in the graded border, each piece of land isseparated by a border, and the water flows from the supply at a higherend of the land to the lower end of the land when the water is released.

Flood irrigation presents several strengths, which include low costoperation, low evaporation losses, as well as simplicity in design. Onthe other hand, surface irrigation methods require many hours of laborsince the water level must be monitored by someone who manually turnsthe water valves on and off, as needed.

A good farm irrigation system should efficiently perform functions suchas deliver water to all parts of the farm when needed, deliver water inamounts needed to meet crop demands during peak use periods, providecomplete control of water, measure the amount of water at entry intofarm irrigation system, divide water in required amounts for use indifferent fields, dispose of waste water, provide for reuse of water onthe farm, allow free, easy movement of farm machinery, and distributewater evenly into the soil of each field.

For example, one may control the supply of water into each piece of landby controlling the water supply (i.e., risers, gates) to limit theamount of land that is irrigated at one time (i.e., to ensure waterdelivery at the correct amount). In existing pipe and riser systems inuse, one must manually control the flow of water into each piece ofland, especially for systems in the family farming context.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for an automated flood irrigation system that addressesthe deficiencies and problems in the related art.

One advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is to promotethe sustainability of water management on a worldwide scale. Onedeficiency with the related art is that they are very labor intensiveand requires a paid employee to continuously check on the progress ofwater advancement for days at a time. The efficiency of a floodirrigation system may be improved by automating the surface irrigationprocess.

Another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is to makethe process of surface irrigation less labor intensive, and, as such,would cut costs and further promote the conservation of water. In therelated art, risers are open and closed manually by unscrewing a lid orgate. As such, labor is required to release and to stop the release ofwater. Timing of the release and the stop release of the water may leadto unnecessary water run-off (e.g., due to a delay of closure of the lidto stop the release of the water after the surface has been irrigated).In an embodiment, this process will be made easier by allowing the userto open the water line at the push of a button. A sensor will be placedat the end of the field and will report back to the riser when the waterhas reached the end, signaling the riser to shut off. A networked floodirrigation system, consisting of a collection of risers and sensors,will further provide a stand-alone solution to the problem.

Yet another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention includesa control system for facilitating flood valve automation. This controlsystem interprets signals from a wireless sensor node, and subsequentlycontrols a flood valve. A gas powered air spring was chosen to open andclose the valve. Mounted directly to the riser, and supplied withpressurized gas from a pressure vessel, the air spring controls the flowof water by inflating and deflating.

A further advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a system and method that automates various processes of floodirrigation, e.g. automated electronics and sensors for activating,deactivating, scheduling and performing maintenance, and other automatedtasks.

Another further advantage of an embodiment of the present invention isto provide an automated flood irrigation system that facilitates theconservation and equitable use of the water supply and to preventunnecessary run-offs.

Another advantage of an embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a system and method for automated flood irrigation that couldmodify and work with existing manual systems.

To achieve these and other advantages, as embodied and broadlydescribed, a riser assembly includes a support structure, an actuationmechanism coupled to the support structure for opening and closing a lidassembly. The lid assembly impedes a flow of water from a riser valve ina closed position and releases the flow of water from the riser valve inan opened position. The riser assembly further includes an electroniccontrol for controlling the actuation mechanism to open and close thelid assembly. The electronic control includes a processor and a wirelesscommunication interface. The wireless communication interface isconfigured to receive a signal from a corresponding sensor assembly whenthe corresponding sensor assembly senses a flood condition to controlthe actuation mechanism to close the lid assembly. The riser assemblyfurther includes a power supply. The actuation mechanism comprises oneof a compressed gas mechanism and an electromechanical mechanism. Thecompressed gas mechanism comprises a compressed gas vessel, a gasregulator, and an air spring, wherein the air spring compresses to openthe lid assembly and decompresses to close the lid assembly. The gasregulator includes a solenoid, the solenoid controlling a path of gasfrom the compressed vessel for compressing or decompressing the airspring. The electromechanical mechanism comprises one of a solenoidmechanism and a scissor jack mechanism. A flood irrigation systemincludes the riser assembly and the corresponding sensor assembly. Theriser assembly is deployed at a location proximate to the riser valveand the sensor assembly is deployed at a location proximate to wherewater from the riser valve is expected to flood.

In another embodiment, a flood irrigation system includes a plurality ofriser devices and a plurality of corresponding sensor devices each inwireless communication with one of the riser device. Each of the riserdevice is deployed at a location proximate to a riser valve andconfigured to release water from the riser valve for flooding a portionof a field. The corresponding sensor device is deployed at a locationproximate to where the water from the riser valve is expected to flood.The corresponding sensor device is configured to send a wireless signalto the riser device that the corresponding sensor device is in wirelesscommunication with to stop releasing the water when the correspondingsensor device sensors a flood condition. At least one of the riserdevices is in wireless communication with at least another one of theriser devices, and the one riser device is configured to send a wirelesssignal to the another one riser device to release water from the riservalve corresponding to the another one riser device when the one riserdevice stops releasing the water. The another one riser device is inwireless communication with a second one of the riser devices, andwherein the another one riser device is configured to send a wirelesssignal to the second one riser device to release water from the riservalve corresponding to the second one riser device when the another oneriser device stops releasing the water in accordance to a pre-determinedpattern. Each of the riser devices includes a support structure anactuation mechanism coupled to the support structure for opening andclosing a lid assembly. The lid assembly impedes a flow of water fromthe riser valve corresponding to the riser device in a closed positionand releases the flow of water from the riser valve in an openedposition. Each of the riser devices further includes an electroniccontrol for controlling the actuation mechanism to open and close thelid assembly. The electronic control includes a processor and a wirelesscommunication interface. The wireless communication interface isconfigured to receive the wireless signal from the corresponding sensordevice. The actuation mechanism comprises a compressed gas vessel, a gasregulator, and an air spring, wherein the air spring compresses to openthe lid assembly and decompresses to close the lid assembly. The gasregulator includes a solenoid, the solenoid controlling a path of gasfrom the compressed gas vessel for compressing or decompressing the airspring.

In yet another embodiment, a method for flood irrigation includesreleasing water from a riser valve for flooding a portion of a fieldthrough a control of a corresponding riser device of a plurality ofriser devices. The corresponding riser device is deployed at a locationproximate to the riser valve. The method further includes receiving awireless signal from a corresponding sensor device of a plurality ofsensor devices for a detection of a flood condition. The correspondingsensor device is deployed at a location proximate to where the waterfrom the riser valve is expected to flood. The method further includesstopping the release of the water from the riser valve. The methodfurther includes sending a wireless signal from the corresponding riserdevice to a second one of the plurality of riser devices to control arelease of water from a riser valve corresponding to the second oneriser device. The method further includes sending a wireless signal fromthe second one riser device to a third one of the plurality of riserdevices to control a release of water from a riser valve correspondingto the third one riser device a plurality of riser devices after thesecond one riser device has stopped the release of water from the riservalve corresponding to the second one riser device, wherein the thirdone riser device is determined based on a pre-determined pattern. Thepre-determined pattern comprises a sequence starting front a first oneof the riser devices to a last one of the riser devices. Each of theriser devices includes a support structure and an actuation mechanismcoupled to the support structure for opening and closing a lid assembly.The lid assembly impedes a flow of water from the riser valvecorresponding to the riser device in a closed position and releases theflow of water from the riser valve in an opened position. Each of theriser devices further includes an electronic control for controlling theactuation mechanism to open and close the lid assembly. The electroniccontrol includes a processor and a wireless communication interface. Thewireless communication interface is configured to receive the wirelesssignal from the corresponding sensor device. The actuation mechanismcomprises a compressed gas vessel, a gas regulator, and an air spring,wherein the air spring compresses to open the lid assembly anddecompresses to close the lid assembly. The gas regulator includes asolenoid, the solenoid controlling a path of gas from the compressed gasvessel for compressing or decompressing the air spring.

The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending onthe particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. These and otheradvantages will be apparent from the disclosure. Additional features andadvantages may be learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flood irrigation system according to anembodiment;

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate exemplary flow configurations for a riserassembly of a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate exemplary structural analyses of a riser assemblyof a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a riser assembly of aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary graph showing temperature vs. heatgenerated under operating conditions for a riser assembly of a floodirrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary graph showing force vs. displacementunder a pressure test for a riser assembly of a flood irrigation systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate alternate riser valve designs for a riserassembly of a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of a riser assembly of aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate exemplary views of a riser assembly of a floodirrigation system under operation according to an embodiment;

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exemplary views of a sensor assembly of a floodirrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a communicationnetwork for a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a flood irrigation systemaccording to an embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a riser device for aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a sensor device for aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a flood irrigationprocess for a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a flood irrigationprocess for a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a flood irrigationprocess for a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a service alert processfor a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have thesame reference label. Further, various components of the same type maybe distinguished by following the reference label by a letter thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can provide a number of advantages depending onthe particular aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. These and otheradvantages will be apparent from the disclosure.

The phrases “at least one,” “one or more,” and “and/or” are open-endedexpressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. Forexample, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C,” “at leastone of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B,or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and Btogether, A and C together. B and C together, or A, B and C together.

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. Assuch, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can beused interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms“comprising,” “including,” and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The term “automatic” and variations thereof, as used herein, refers toany process or operation done without material human input when theprocess or operation is performed. However, a process or operation canbe automatic, even though performance of the process or operation usesmaterial or immaterial human input, if the input is received beforeperformance of the process or operation. Human input is deemed to bematerial if such input influences how the process or operation will beperformed. Human input that consents to the performance of the processor operation is not deemed to be “material.”

The term “module,” as used herein, refers to any known or laterdeveloped hardware, software, firmware, artificial intelligence, fuzzylogic, or combination of hardware and software that is capable ofperforming the functionality associated with that element.

The terms “determine,” “calculate,” and “compute,” and variationsthereof, as used herein, are used interchangeably and include any typeof methodology, process, mathematical operation or technique.

It shall be understood that the term “means,” as used herein, shall begiven its broadest possible interpretation in accordance with 35 U.S.C,,Section 112(f). Accordingly, a claim incorporating the term “means”shall cover all structures, materials, or acts set forth herein, and allof the equivalents thereof. Further, the structures, materials or actsand the equivalents thereof shall include all those described in thesummary of the invention, brief description of the drawings, detaileddescription, abstract, and claims themselves.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide anunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neitheran extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its variousaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations. It is intended neither toidentify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate thescope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of thedisclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detaileddescription presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations of the disclosure are possible,utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features setforth above or described in detail below.

Embodiments herein presented are not exhaustive, and further embodimentsmay be now known or later derived by one skilled in the art.

Functional units described in this specification and figures may belabeled as modules, or outputs in order to more particularly emphasizetheir structural features. A module and/or output may be implemented ashardware, e.g., comprising circuits, gate arrays, off-the-shelfsemiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discretecomponents. They may be fabricated with Very-large-scale integration(VLSI) techniques. A module and/or output may also be implemented inprogrammable hardware such as field programmable gate arrays,programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like.Modules may also be implemented in software for execution by varioustypes of processors. In addition, the modules may be implemented as acombination of hardware and software in one embodiment.

An identified module of programmable or executable code may, forinstance, include one or more physical or logical blocks of computerinstructions that may, for instance, be organized as an object,procedure, or function. Components of a module need not necessarily bephysically located together but may include disparate instructionsstored in different locations which, when joined logically together,include the module and achieve the stated function for the module. Thedifferent locations may be performed on a network, device, server, andcombinations of one or more of the same. A module and/or a program ofexecutable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, andmay even be distributed over several different code segments, amongdifferent programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, dataor input for the execution of such modules may be identified andillustrated herein as being an encoding of the modules, or being withinmodules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized withinany suitable type of data structure.

In one embodiment, the system, components and/or modules discussedherein may include one or more of the following: a server or othercomputing system including a processor for processing digital data,memory coupled to the processor for storing digital data, an inputdigitizer coupled to the processor for inputting digital data, anapplication program stored in one or more machine data memories andaccessible by the processor for directing processing of digital data bythe processor, a display device coupled to the processor and memory fordisplaying information derived from digital data processed by theprocessor, and a plurality of databases or data management systems.

In one embodiment, functional block components, screen shots, userinteraction descriptions, optional selections, various processing steps,and the like are implemented with the system. It should be appreciatedthat such descriptions may be realized by any number of hardware and/orsoftware components configured to perform the functions described.Accordingly, to implement such descriptions, various integrated circuitcomponents, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements,look-up tables, input-output devices, displays and the like may be used,which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one ormore microprocessors or other control devices.

In one embodiment, software elements may be implemented with anyprogramming, scripting language, and/or software developmentenvironment, e.g., Fortran, C, C++, C#, COBOL, Apache Tomcat, SpringRoo, Web Logic, Web Sphere, assembler, PERL, Visual Basic, SQL, SQLStored Procedures, AJAX, extensible markup language (XML), Arduino,Flex, Flash, Java, .Net and the like. Moreover, the variousfunctionality in the embodiments may be implemented with any combinationof data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programmingelements.

In one embodiment, any number of conventional techniques for datatransmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the likeas one skilled in the art will understand may be used. Further,detection or prevention of security issues using various techniquesknown in the art, e.g., encryption, may be also be used in embodimentsof the invention. Additionally, many of the functional units and/ormodules, e.g., shown in the figures, may be described as being “incommunication” with other functional units and/or modules, Being “incommunication” refers to any manner and/or way in which functional unitsand/or modules, such as, but not limited to, input/output devices,computers, laptop computers, PDAs, mobile devices, smart phones,modules, and other types of hardware and/or software may be incommunication with each other. Some non-limiting examples includecommunicating, sending and/or receiving data via a network, a wirelessnetwork, software, instructions, circuitry, phone lines, Internet lines,fiber optic lines, satellite signals electric signals, electrical andmagnetic fields and/or pulses, and/or the like and combinations of thesame.

By way of example, communication among the users, subscribers and/orserver in accordance with embodiments of the invention may beaccomplished through any suitable communication channels, such as, forexample, a telephone network, an extranet, an intranet, the Internet,cloud based communication, point of interaction devices (point of saledevice, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, kiosk, and thelike), online communications, off-line communications, wirelesscommunications, RF communications, cellular communications, Wi-Ficommunications, transponder communications, local area network (LAN)communications, wide area network (WAN) communications, networked orlinked devices and/or the like. Moreover, although embodiments of theinvention may be implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, othertechniques of communication may also be implemented using IEEEprotocols, IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI or any number of existingor future protocols. Specific information related to the protocols,standards, and application software utilized in connection with theInternet is generally known to those skilled in the art and, as such,need not be detailed herein.

In embodiments of the invention, the system provides and/or receives acommunication or notification via the communication system to or from anend user. The communication is typically sent over a network, e.g., acommunication network. The network may utilize one or more of aplurality of wireless communication standards, protocols or wirelessinterfaces (including LTE, CDMA, WCDMA, TDMA, UMTS, GSM, GPRS, OFDMA,WiMAX, FLO TV, Mobile DTV, WLAN, and Bluetooth technologies), and may beprovided across multiple wireless network service providers. The systemmay be used with any mobile communication device service (e.g., texting,voice calls, games, videos, Internet access, online books, etc.), SMS,MMS, email, mobile, land phone, tablet, smartphone, television,vibrotactile glove, voice carry over, video phone, pager, relay service,teletypewriter, and/or GPS and combinations of the same.

Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the presentinvention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flood irrigation system according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, the flood irrigation system 100 includes a riserassembly 110, which includes a control system 130 and riser valveactuator system for lifting a riser valve (not shown) that is configuredto release the water onto the field. In one embodiment, the riser valveactuator system includes an air spring 111, an gas regulator 112, and acompressed gas vessel 113. Other exemplary embodiments of the riservalve actuator system will be discussed below with respect to FIGS.7A-7B. The flood irrigation system 100 further includes a sensorassembly 120, which includes a water sensor 121 and sensor electronics112.

It is noted that certain flood irrigation systems are currently in useutilizing flood irrigation methods for their crop production (e.g.,alfalfa and alfalfa seed stock). While present flood irrigation has manypositive attributes, it does have some major drawbacks. In somesituations watering cycles can last for up to 12 hours on a 20 acrefarm. Flood irrigation has high labor costs simply to observe the flowof water as it is being applied to the field. An additional problemexperienced is the outright lack of labor. In an embodiment the floodirrigation system 100 may be used as a replacement for these currentflood irrigation systems and other system as known now or may be derivedlater.

The flood irrigation system 100 may include one or moreproperties/features that are important and/or relevant for the intendeduse, some of which are listed as follows:

It is very important that the flood irrigation system 100 automaticallyirrigate the field. This means that the valve controlled by therespective riser assembly 110 needs to be able to turn off the waterwhen water is detected at the end of the field. In a preferredembodiment, the flood irrigation system 100 is deployed and used in anarray in conjunction with other flood irrigation systems 100 (or inother arrangements and/or other flood irrigation systems). As such, theflood irrigation system 100 may need to open the next valve of therespective flood irrigation system in the sequence when the water isdetected at the end of the field and turned off.

The flood irrigation system 100 may have other features that allow it todo this process in a more economical and safe manner. The category offeatures represents the items that the final device should be capable ofdoing and features that should be utilized. Some of these features arenoted as follows:

Robust

Utilize commonly available parts

Universal water fittings

Withstand maximum water pressure

Low cost

Minimize access to moving parts

Lightweight sensor

Portable sensor

Utilize off-grid power

Immune to electromagnetic interference (EMI)

Sensor taller than crop

Sense water depth

Wireless between riser and sensor

Wireless up to around 2600 feet

The flood irrigation system 100 may also have additional features thatimprove various efficiency and condition of usage such as beingcompletely wireless or using renewable energy sources.

These listed properties/features may be separated into qualitative andquantitative categories, and the quantitative requirements may befurther converted into engineering requirements and/or specificationsfor the expect usage conditions of the flood irrigation system 100.

For example, the operational durability is based on the minimum numberof cycles required for a particular environment and/or application(e.g., the alfalfa crop in Cedarville Calif.). In thisenvironment/application, watering may be needed for only 7 times a year(e.g., the time when the flood irrigation needs to be activated andused). As such, it is desirable that the flood irrigation system 100 beable to withstand 35 years of operation. An exemplary list of theengineering specifications for such an exemplary application is listedin Table 1 below.

TABLE 1 Engineering Requirement Specifications Metric Method/DeviceTarget Condition Operational Cycle Count cycles Open and close 250cycles 7 cycles/year Durability valve in operating conditions WithstandPressure psi Pressurize 20 psi Static Pressure valve pressure head CostEffective Cost US Total cost $1000 Cost of Riser dollars of unit riseronly Light Weight Weight lbs Scale <50 lbs Inclusive of Sensor allsensor components Sensor Taller Height in Tape measure >36” >36” ThanCrop installed in field Sense Depth Height in Tape measure ½” ½” ofwater of Water in the field Wireless Distance ft Surveyor's <800’Distance Communications wheel between riser at Certain Range and sensorUtilize Off Shelf Quantity % Bill of 75% Percent parts Componentsmaterials not manufactured

It is also noted that currently flood irrigation systems rely on the useof physical cables (e.g., buried CAT-5 cable in the field) to allow forthe communication between riser units. A flood irrigation system thatcommunicates wirelessly over the range of the field eliminates the needto bury and string wire across the length of the crop. The floodirrigation system 100 may include a radio frequency transceiver and aninfrared light transceiver to accomplish this. Based on criteria such asdistance of signal travel, cost, interference susceptibility, andinterface circuitry of the transceiver, an implementation of aradio-frequency transceiver as a form of communication according to anembodiment is discussed with respect to FIGS. 11-18 below.

To satisfy portability of the flood irrigation system 100, the watersensor 121 (and the respective sensor electronics 122) forming thesensor assembly 120 may be housed on a stake that is driven into theground at the opposite end of the field from the riser assembly 110.Once in place, the water sensor 121 can be adjusted on the stake to theproper height to allow it to control the riser valve actuator system(e.g., triggering the valves to open and close). Further, this setupallows for indoor storage when the flood irrigation system 100 is not inuse.

In an embodiment, the air spring 111 is used to open and close the lidon the riser valve. In order to size the air spring 111, three thingsshould be accounted for, which include the operating pressure, thestroke required, and the force that acts on the air spring 111.

The force may be calculated using Bernoulli's equation (See Equation 1and 2).

$\begin{matrix}{{\frac{p}{\gamma} + z + \frac{v^{2}}{2g}} = {{h\; p} + \frac{p}{\gamma} + z + \frac{v^{2}}{2g}}} & (1) \\{f = {pa}} & (2)\end{matrix}$

It is noted that the stagnation pressure is a critical part of thecalculation of the amount of force required to close the lid. Thestagnation pressure occurs when the pump “dead heads” into the valve. Assuch, assuming equal elevation heads and zero velocity, Equation 1simplifies to Equation 3.

$\begin{matrix}{\frac{p}{\gamma} = {h\; p}} & (3)\end{matrix}$

In an exemplary application, the air spring 111 should hold back apressure head of 15 feet (e.g., based on a rating of the water pump),and have an operating stroke that will allow water to flow freely fromthe riser (e.g., based on the condition of the available water). Forexample, with a 12″ diameter riser, and the aforementioned pressurehead, the air spring 111 needs to be able to hold back 735 lbs based onthe estimation.

The next thing that needed to be calculated was the minimum heightrequired to open the valve and have no subsequent pressure drop. Inorder to do this the use of continuity was required. The use ofcontinuity requires a known flow rate and diameter. Minimum height canbe calculated by Equation 4. We also require continuity for the designpurposes of no velocity rise (Equation 5).

A₁v₁=A₂v₂  (4)

A₁=A₂  (5)

In the exemplary application, for a given flow rate of 6.4 CFS, and fora 12 inch diameter pipe, or an area of 113.1 inches, this gives a heightopening of 3 inches (from a cylindrical surface area). Therefore, theminimum required height for no velocity rise is 3 inches. A factor ofsafety of 1.66 may be applied yielding a minimum design height of 5inches.

Suitable manufactured air spring may be selected based on theseestimations (e.g., The Double-Tire Style Adjustable Air Spring (9551K54)by McMaster Carr, which can perform within tolerance for a height of 5inches and a load of 735 lbs at or below 20 psi).

The compressed gas vessel 113 should also be matched to supply the airspring 111 with enough pressurized gas to open and close the riser atthe frequency needed (e.g., seven times). Using the ideal gas law(Equation 6), where the mass gas constant and temperature areapproximately constant from the high pressure tank (e.g., compressed gastank 113) to the flow pressure spring (e.g., air spring 111), let state1 be the tank and state 2 be the spring (Equation 7).

$\begin{matrix}{{PV} = {ZnRT}} & (6) \\{\frac{P_{1}V_{1}}{Z} = {P_{2}V_{2}}} & (7)\end{matrix}$

It is noted that since n, R, and T from the ideal gas law are shared byboth the compressed gas vessel 113, and air spring 111, the compressedgas tank can be sized to the frequency needed e.g., seven).

In the exemplary application, we may select an air spring 111 with aheight of 10.1″ and a diameter of 6″. As such, the volume of the airspring 111 is 502.54 inch³. A selected compressed gas vessel 113 mayhave a pressure of 3000 psi, thus leading to a cycle volume (V₁) of 3.92inch³ (using Equation 7). A compressed gas vessel 113 volume of 47 inch³would yield a cycle rate of 11.98 cycles (using Equation 8), achievingthe seven cycles needed plus a tolerance.

$\begin{matrix}{N_{cycle} = \frac{{Volume}_{tank}}{{Volume}_{cycle}}} & (8)\end{matrix}$

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate exemplary flow configurations for a riserassembly of a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, compressed gas vessel 113 contains a gas for inflatingor deflating the air spring 111 (through the gas regulator 112). For thepurpose of understanding, gas refers to a substance that is notsubstantially solid or liquid. In a preferred embodiment, the gas wouldbe pressurized. In an embodiment, the gas may be one or more of propane,air, Nitrogen, stream, or other gases.

To control the flow of gas between the compressed gas vessel 113 and theair spring 111, a gas regulation system is needed (e.g., gas regulator112). In an embodiment, a 3-Way Normally Open (3WNO) magnetic latchingsolenoid valve may be used. Unlike regular 3WNO's, a magnetic latchingvalve only requires a pulse of current, rather than a steady supplyvoltage, lending itself to low-power applications.

With reference to FIG. 2A, when the solenoid is de-energized, a supplyof pressurized gas keeps the air spring 111 inflated and the riser valveclosed. With reference to FIG. 2B, when energized, the solenoid blocksthe input port, and opens the exhaust port. As a result, the pressure ofthe water line deflates the air spring 111, and the water begins to flowfrom the resulting clearance. The solenoid's state can be switched fromopen to closed state and can be switched from open to closed current inthe appropriate direction.

Referring to FIG. 2D, gas flow charts are shown with respective to aninlet pressure (e.g., as provided by the compressed gas vessel 113through the gas regulator 112). As such, an orifice size may be chosento give appropriate pressure to the air spring 111. A line regulator mayprecede this solenoid so proper pressure is obtained at the inlet of thesolenoid (e.g., 22 psi for an exemplary application)

FIGS. 3A-3F illustrate exemplary structural analyses of a riser assemblyof a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

It is noted that a support structure for the riser assembly 110 isneeded to withstand the previously mentioned forces.

Further, under certain circumstances, there is a situation that willcreate a water hammer effect, whereby there is a pressure surge causedas the water in motion from the riser is forced to stop suddenly. Forexample, if the lid was to close suddenly (e.g., in less than 1.5seconds), with no other relief source open, the water hammer force canoccur. The water hammer force may be estimated using Equations 9 and 10.

$\begin{matrix}{{\Delta \; P} = {\rho \; C\; \Delta \; V}} & (9) \\{c = \sqrt{\frac{Kmod}{\rho}}} & (10)\end{matrix}$

The modified bulk modulus (K_(mod)) is now used to find the speed ofsound in water using Equation 11, where ρ is the density of water.

$\begin{matrix}{K_{mod} = \frac{K}{\frac{\left( {1 + \left( {D*K} \right)} \right)*C}{e*E}}} & (11)\end{matrix}$

The change in pressure is then calculated and the maximum water hammerforce can be calculated using Equation 12.

F=ΔP*A  (12)

In the exemplary application, the maximum force developed by this waterhammer is around 4000 lbs.

For the exemplary application, structural analyzes were performed usingrefined mesh for tube steel. A 4000 lbs load is applied at the locationsupporting the air spring 111 (as indicated by the arrows). FIG. 3Ashows the support structure using a refined mesh of a high aspect ratio.FIG. 3B shows the corresponding Von Misses stress of the supportstructure for a 4000 lbs load. FIG. 3C shows the correspondingdisplacement for a 4000 lbs load. Structural analyzes were furtherperformed using shell element for tube steel, as using tube elements maybe better for examining thin-walled members. FIG. 3D shows the supportstructure using a shell element aspect ratio. FIG. 3E shows thecorresponding minimum factor of safety (FOS) for a 4000 lbs load. FIG.3F shows the corresponding FOS for a 4000 lbs load.

Referring to FIG. 3C, it is noted that the displacement of where theforce is applied is relatively low and is deemed not an issue. Referringto FIGS. 3E and 3F, the lowest factor of safety is 1.1. This takes placein a sharp corner, and around the lowest point, the factor of safety ishigher. It is further noted that, in practice, that edge will not besharp since there will be a fillet weld reducing the stress in thatcorner.

Further, it is again noted that 4000 lbs represents the maximum load,for the support structure (e.g., from the water hammer force). It isexpected that the force will achieve such a high level under normaloperating conditions.

Therefore, the support structure for the riser assembly 110 would holdunder high pressure conditions.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a riser assembly of aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

The control system 130 may include one or more a processor 131 (e.g.,STM 32F4 microprocessor), which is coupled to electronics such as LCD135 (e.g., CrystalFontz LCD or other display unit), signal converter 136(e.g., serial to TTL), wireless antenna 138 (e.g., XBee Pro Series 1antenna or other wireless antenna), wireless shield 137, solenoid drivercircuit 134 (or other riser valve control) for driving 3WNO solenoid 119that fitted with the gas regulator 112 as discussed above other riservalve control), solar charge controller 132 (or other power controller)for receiving power from solar panel 190 (or other power source), andbattery 133 for storing the receiving power.

It is noted that components described in FIG. 4 may be replaced ormodified using other components as known now or may be later derived byone of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the XBee shield 137 andXBee antenna 138 may be replaced by another wireless system. In anotherexample, the LCD 135 and the signal converter 136 may be replaced byanother display system. The solenoid driver circuit 134 may be replacedto work with another valve control system on the riser assembly 110. Thesolar charge controller 132 may be replaced by another power controllerfor another power source. Other components may be added (e.g., inputsinterface such as keypad, touch interface on the display (e.g., display135)). The processor 131 may be replaced by a suitable processor foraccommodating the replaced components. Additional modifications andadditions to the electronics components are further described withrespect to FIGS. 11-18 below.

In another embodiment, a design for the control system houses all theelectrical components in the control box 130. The processor 131 may be aFreakduino microcontroller, an offshoot of the Arduino, that acts as themain controller of the system due to its ease of use and incorporatedwireless communication capabilities. The processor 131 switches thestate of the solenoid (in gas regulator 112) with a SN 7544 h-bridgemotor driver IC (as the solenoid driver circuit 134). The user isprovided with a 16×2 LCD display (as the LCD 135) and three buttons,along with a main power switch. With this interface, the user is allowedto choose between four different modes of operation (three automatic,and one manual). The system may further include a buzzer for safetypurposes. For example, in modes where the valve has been open forextended periods of time, before it closes, a loud tone is playedalerting the user to stay clear of the moving parts. The whole systemruns off battery power 133 and may be recharged with a solar panel 190.The flow of current into and out of the battery is controlled via acharge controller 132.

With respect to the power system and supply, a photovoltaic systemenables off-the-grid operation. This system includes a solar array 190,a charge controller 132, and a battery 133. The battery 133 should beable to maintain its charge through multiple days of autonomy, and stillsupply the riser assembly 110 with power. The subsequent method andguidelines for sizing a battery may be used to provide a reliablestorage system for such a stand-alone alternative energy solution, asfollows:

Calculate the load in Watt-hours per 24-Hr Day (Wh/d) as accurately aspossible.

Include the appropriate factors: Temperature, autonomy, design margin,and depth of discharge (DOD).

Consider shallow daily DOD (max 20% recommended) and occasional deeperDOD (max 80%) during cloudy days.

Use the correct battery rating (100-Hr), or a battery rating thatapproximates the actual autonomy hours for the system load.

Days of Autonomy:

The sun does not shine with equal intensity every day, at night andduring inclement weather. Cloud cover, rain, snow, and etc., diminishthe daily insolation. Insolation is the amount of solar energy deliveredto the earth's surface; it is measured in Watts/meter. A storage factorshould be employed to allow the photovoltaic battery system to operatereliably throughout these periods. This storage factor is commonlyreferred to as “Number of Days of Battery Autonomy”. The number of daysis established by evaluating the peak hours of sun per day [(kW/m2)/day]for the lowest insolation month of the year, with the solar arrayoriented for maximum output during that month. The minimum number ofdays that should be considered is 5 days of storage for even thesunniest locations on earth. In these high sun locations there will bedays when the sun is obscured and the desired battery's average dailydepth of discharge is limited to 20%. Therefore, the recommended days ofautonomy storage are listed in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Days of kW/m²/day Storage 4.5+ 5 3.5-4.5 6 2.7-3.5 7 2.0-2.7 8

Operating Temperature:

The temperature of the battery can be a major factor in sizing thesystem. Lead acid battery capacity is reduced in cold temperatures. Leadacid battery life is shortened in high temperatures. It should be notedthat the temperature of the battery itself and ambient temperature couldbe vastly different. While ambient temperatures can change very quickly,battery temperature changes much slower. This is due the mass of thebattery. It takes time for the battery to absorb temperature and ittakes time for the battery to relinquish temperature, therefore, thebattery's temperature is normally the average temperature for the past24 hours plus or minus a few degrees. Table 3 provides temperaturecorrection factors for different types of batteries.

TABLE 3 Flooded (° F.) (° C.) (FLA) AGM GEL 77 25 1.00 1.00 1.00 50 101.19 1.08 1.11 32 0 1.39 1.20 1.75 13 −10 1.70 1.35 1.42

Depth of Discharge (DOD):

Many battery manufacturers will advise sizing the battery for cyclicapplications to a maximum depth of discharge of 50%. That would meandoubling the size of the battery. Some batteries have trouble recoveringfrom deep discharges. That would mean for the 60 AH/Day load with 5 daysof autonomy, or 300 AH, that they would advise using a 600 AH battery.The recommended DOD is 0.2; typical is 0.5.

In the exemplary application, sizing a battery begins with calculatingthe energy that will be consumed on a daily basis (e.g., Table 4 onenergy consumption for exemplary parts). As can be seen in Table 4, somesystem components have two different modes, each with its own energyneeds.

TABLE 4 DC Load Energy Load Watts Voltage Duration ConsumptionDescription (W) (V) (Hrs) (Wh/d) Solenoid 10 6 0.001 0.01 Microprocessor1.5 5 0.083 0.125 (Active Mode) Microprocessor 0.1 5 12 1.2 (Sleep Mode)XBee (Active 0.975 3.3 0.083 0.081 Mode) XBee (Sleep 0.165 3.3 12 1.98Mode) LCD 1.75 5 0.083 0.146 Total Energy Consumption: 3,542 Wh/day

Based upon the operation parameters, the adjusted battery bank capacitycan now be determined using Equation 13 (e.g., 7.14 Amp-Hours for theexemplary application or a 6V, 12 Amp-Hours battery for battery 133).

$\begin{matrix}{{A\; h_{a}} = \frac{A\; h_{a}*{TC}*{DA}*{DM}}{DOD}} & (13)\end{matrix}$

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary graph showing temperature vs. heatgenerated under operating conditions for a riser assembly of a floodirrigation system according to an embodiment.

It is noted that the operating temperatures of the electronics (as shownin FIG. 4) may be of a particular concern. Since the control system willbe housing the electronics (e.g., in control box 130), it is importantto know the temperature inside the electronics box for reliableoperation. For example, the operating range for the electronics mayrange from −40° C. to 85° C. Such temperature may be accounted for byknowing the heat generated by the electronics material properties, andambient conditions, a thermal circuit is utilized, as given by Equation14.

T _(inside)=((q _(comp) +aG _(sum) A _(box)) (R _(conv,out))+T _(inf) +q_(comp)(R _(Conv,in) +R _(cond)))−273.15  (14)

Referring to FIG. 5, the graph shows the variation of temperature versusheat generated by varying the estimated energy of the electronics. Withrespect to the exemplary application, the results show that theelectronics will be within their operating range, with a max temperatureof about 80° C. at maximum operating conditions. The maximum allowableenergy consumption of the electronics was determined, in order to staywithin the operating range.

EXAMPLES

Without intending to limit the scope of the invention, the followingexamples illustrate how various embodiments of the invention may beimplemented in various applications.

There is interest in developing and implementing irrigation methods thatcontribute to sustainable fanning practices, especially in the areas ofproducing alfalfa, alfalfa seed, and cereal grains using floodirrigation.

Currently, the flood irrigation industry pays individuals to manuallyflood fields; this method can take up to 12 hours of paid labor. Anautomated flood irrigation system is design to eliminate labor andmaximize efficiency.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary exploded view of a riser assembly of aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the riser assembly includes a lower riser alfalfavalve adaptor 801, a lid assembly 802, an air spring 803 (e.g., byMcMaser-Carr), a support structure 804, a gas control box 805 (e.g., byDigi Key), a gas adaptor 806, a compressed gas tank 807 (e.g., by AnsGear.com), a control system box 808 (e.g., by McMaser-Carr), a solarpanel 809 (e.g., by Amazon), a solenoid 810 (e.g., by Peter Paul), and agas regulator 811 (e.g., by McMaser-Carr).

It is noted that the riser assembly shown in FIG. 8 is one configurationof the riser assembly 110 as shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., the air spring 803being a configuration of the air spring 111, the compressed gas tank 807being a configuration of the compressed gas 113, and the gas regulator811 being a configuration of the gas regulator 112). It is also notedthat the control system box 808 (e.g., control box 130) may house theelectronics as shown in FIG. 4 (e.g., controlling the solenoid 810 as aconfiguration of the solenoid 119). The riser assembly hardware andmechanism is designed using a compressed gas vessel, solenoid valve, andpressure regulator to control the flow of gas going into the air spring.The control system contains a user interface that can control the manualand automatic operations of the system.

A main goal of the system's mechanism is to close and open the riservalve in a completely autonomous manner. It is noted that the lowerriser alfalfa valve adaptor 801 may be fitted to an existing riser valve(e.g., a Waterman valve), which may also include an existing lidassembly 802.

FIGS. 9A-9B illustrate exemplary views of a riser assembly of a floodirrigation system under operation according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9A shows the riser assembly when the riservalve is in a closed position. Here, the lid assembly 802, which isattached to the air spring 803, covers the riser valve (fitted to thelower riser alfalfa valve adaptor) when the air spring 803 is in theextended position. The air spring 803 is attached to the supportstructure 804 at the connection point (as discussed in the structuralanalyzes in FIGS. 3A-3F). In the extended position the air spring 803may be around 7-9 inches in length (as compared with around 66.85 inchesfor the support structure 804.

Referring to FIG. 9B, FIG. 9B shows the riser assembly when the riservalve is in an open position. Here, the compressed gas tank 807 suppliesgas pressure through the gas adaptor 806 (as controlled by theelectronics in the control system box 808) to compress the air spring803. This action lifts the lid assembly 802, which is attached to theair spring 803, which leaves an opening 803A for water to be releasefrom the riser valve attached to the lower riser alfalfa valve adaptor801. In an exemplary system, the opening 803A may be around 3 inches.

In a further embodiment, with the use of a wireless microcontroller, theflood irrigation system is designed to communicate wirelessly. The watersensor (e.g., water sensor 121A) across a field will sense the presenceof water triggering sensor electronics (e.g., sensor electronics 122) tocommunicate to the riser valve (of the riser assembly) to close andinitiate the flooding of the next strip in sequence. That is, once astrip has been flooded, the sensor electronics communicate to the riservalve to close, and open the next riser valve until the field iscompletely flooded. This is discussed in further detail below withrespect to FIG. 12.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate alternate riser valve designs for a riserassembly of a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

It is noted that both FIGS. 74 and 7B illustrate alternate riser valvedesigns using an electrical option as opposed to the compressed gas tankand solenoid for driving the air spring as illustrated in FIG. 9. Theseconsist of an electric motor (e.g., 780A and 780B) driving a lead screw(e.g., 770A and 770B) to actuate the lid, where the lid corresponds tothe lid assembly 802 for creating the opening 903A (e.g., 760A and 760B)when the lid is opened.

The lead screw 770A shown in FIG. 7A illustrates a motor driven screwdesign where the electric motor 780A actuates the screw (e.g., turningthe screw in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction) to lift or lower(open or close) the lid that is connected to the leader screw 770A.

The lead screw 770B shown in FIG. 7B illustrates a scissor jack design.Here, the scissor jack 750B may include two crisscrossing rods, wherethe ends of each of the rods is connected to an opposite side of the lidand the lead screw 770B (and the rods are connected at the midpointforming the scissor jack). When the electric motor 780A actuates thescrew (e.g., turning the screw in a clockwise or counterclockwisedirection), the ends of the rods may move closer together or furtherapart (depending on the direction of the turning of the screw), therebylengthening or shortening the length of the scissor jack 750B. As such,the lid may be lifted or lowered, creating the opening 760B.

In an embodiment, each of the alternate electrical options may bepowered by the solar panel (e.g., 790A and 790B) and controlled by thecontrol box (e.g., 791A and 791B).

FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate exemplary views of a sensor assembly of a floodirrigation system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10A, the sensor assembly 120 includes a sensor portion121 and a electronics portion 122 including various electronics. Thesensor portion 121 is configured to be installed at a ground level wherewater is expected (e.g., where flooding by water released by thecorresponding riser assembly is expected) and includes a water sensor121A (for sensing the water) and a mounting 121B (for mounting thesensor portion 121 to the ground). The water sensor 121A may beconnected to the electronics portion 122 by wires or by wirelessly.

In an embodiment, the water sensor 121A may be a basic single pole,single throw (SPST) switch. When the flood water reaches the watersensor 121A, it bridges the gap between the two leads, thereby closingthe switch. In an embodiment, the water sensor 121A may be installed ata pre-determined height such that the water sensor 121A is configured toonly sense when the flood water reaches the pre-determined height.

When the water sensor 121A senses the water, a signal may be sent to theelectronics portion 122 (e.g., a microcontroller in the electronicsportion 122 reads a voltage on the sensor pin). Subsequently, theelectronics portion may start sending a signal (through a wirelessantenna or other means) to the control box (e.g., control box 130) ofthe riser assembly 110 on the other side of the field, alerting it toclose the riser valve.

It is noted that, in initial testing of exemplary flood irrigationsystems, it was determined that the range of the wireless devices may bedirectly related to the height of the antennas. If one main relay pointwas used, this antenna could be permanently mounted at the idealelevation, allowing all communications to flow through this node. Assuch, a wireless relay point could be used to increase the range andreducing the needed height of the various antennas in each of the riserassembly and/or the sensor assembly according to an embodiment.

In another embodiment, the lid (e.g., lid assembly 802) may be anotherpoint of possible redesign. The current lid, while working, requiresmachining slots into the vertical sections. The new lid redesign wouldgive the same positioning benefits but without any need for a verticalmill.

In yet another embodiment, given that the system in the exemplaryapplication only operates 7 cycles a year, one recommendation is thatinstead of using a compressed gas tank, one could use an onboard gascompressor. This concept would let the system operate autonomously foran indefinite length of time with no annual maintenance. Oneconsideration of this change is that the system may need to be convertedfrom the current 6 volt system to a 12 volt (or a higher voltage) systemthat uses a larger battery and more solar cells.

Example Methods

Without intending to limit the scope of the invention, the followingexamples illustrate how various embodiments of the invention may be usedand/or tested in various applications.

Experiments and/or tests of one or more flood irrigation systems wascarried out to determine that the flood irrigation system meets certainqualitative requirements and engineering specifications in certainoperating conditions (as outlined in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Engineering Requirement Specifications Metric Method/DeviceTarget Condition Operational Cycle count cycles Open and close 250cycles 7 cycles/year durability valve in operating conditions WithstandPressure psi Pressurize 20 psi Static pressure valve pressure head Lightweight Weight lbs Scale <50 lbs Inclusive of sensor all sensorcomponents Sense depth Height In Tape measure ½” ½” of water of water inthe field Wireless Distance ft Surveyor's <800’ Distance communicationswheel between at certain riser and range sensor

A list of experiments was devised and carried out in order to determinethe meeting of the specification, as follows:

Cycle Test

-   -   The valve must cycle 210 times.

Water Sensing Unit Test

-   -   Verify water sensing depth.    -   Confirm wireless communication range.

Riser Pressure Test

-   -   Verify that riser withstand a pressure of 20 psi.

Test 1—Cycle Test:

The objective is to ensure the riser valve can survive 210 cycles ofoperation. As such, the valve must cycle 210 times.

Operational durability is an extremely important aspect of all productsmanufactured for agricultural uses. For the case of the flood irrigationsystem, the exemplary application (of alfalfa production in Cedarville,Calif.) may require a 30-year life cycle. In order to test thisrequirement a simple cycle test will be needed. The growing season inCedarville, Calif. only requires seven flooding occurrences a year. Thistranslates to a 210 life cycle. One cycle is defined as the valve goingfrom a completely closed position to fully open then back to completelyclosed. In order to conduct this test the automated flood valve needs tobe fully assembled, with a fully charged battery. The system was testedin facilities that have standard Waterman valves.

List of Equipment:

Automated flood irrigation valve

Waterman valve adaptor

4½×13 4 inch bolt

4½×13 nuts

Socket Set

Box wrench set

25 foot gas hose with ⅜ inch ends

Campbell Hausfield H-3861 or equivalent gas compressor

1 gallon of soapy water

The valve closes with approximately 700 pounds of force, so precautionshould be taken to prevent limbs from being severed by the closingvalve. This precaution includes keeping all limbs away from thepneumatically actuated lid. Proper ANSI Z 87.1 safety glasses should beworn at all times when operating the machinery.

The following procedure was used as the testing method:

1. Affix the Waterman valve adapter securely over the Waterman valveusing the ACME screw utilized by the existing Waterman valve.

2. Using the ½×13 bolts, associated sockets, and box wrenches secure theautomated flood valve to the waterman valve adapter.

3. Connect one side of the ⅜ inch gas hose to the regulator and theother end to the gas compressor.

4. Turn on the gas compressor and charge to line to 22 psi.

5. Coat all gas fittings with soapy water and carefully inspect them toensure no leaks are present.

6. Turn on the automated flood valves electronic system using the toggleswitch located in the upper control box.

7. Once the system is powered up hold the center push button

8. Select automatic operation mode.

9. Select cycle test.

10. Let the system cycle for 250 cycles.

11. After each cycle inspect the system for damage.

12. Report any abnormalities encountered and where they occurred. In theevent of a failure stop the pump and cease the test immediately.

The cycle test was completed successfully and only resulted in a minorscratching on the powder coating after 250 cycles.

Test 2—Water Sensing Unit

The objective is to verify that the water-sensing unit can detect thepresence of water at a certain depth (e.g., at least ½ ) and confirmthat the water-sensing unit can communicate wirelessly at a certainrange (e.g., at least 800′).

One of the most crucial components of the flood irrigation system is thewater-sensing unit. Once the unit detects water at a certain depth, itproceeds to tell the riser valve to close, thus stopping the flow ofwater over the crop. If the water is not sensed soon enough, or thedetection is not communicated, the consequence is an unsatisfactoryirrigation cycle. This test plan was designed to ensure the successfuloperation of the water-sensing unit. This test was performed on a fieldwith access to a main line riser (water source)

When water bridges the terminals on the sensor, an LED will beilluminated onboard the microcontroller (MCU); this LED is used toverify water detection. Likewise, when the detection is made, the MCUwill communicate wirelessly to an identical MCU, illuminating that MCU'sLED. In this test experiment, detection and communication is treated astwo separate parts. While testing the wireless communication aspect ofthe system, a standalone MCU with a battery pack will represent theriser valve.

It is noted that this test plan assumes that the end-user will properlyplace the water-sensing unit according to the user manual provided. Poorplacement could lead to faulty operation.

List of Equipments:

8 AA batteries

12″ plastic ruler

30′ measuring tape

1 roll of paper towels

1 small bucket

Post driver

Post puller

Multimeter accurate to 0.1 V DC

10″ measuring wheel with 10,000′ capacity

While inserting batteries into the MCUs' battery holders, test engineersshould mind the polarity symbols marked on the batteries and theholders. If inserted incorrectly, the batteries could ruin the equipmentor even explode, releasing their toxic contents. Test engineers shouldwear lab goggles at all times, Before beginning the procedure, testengineers should study the following figures to become familiar with theMCU's connectors, jumpers, and switches, as well as the field operationsequipment.

The following procedure was used as the testing method related to waterdetection.

1. Arrive at the site and proceed to designated field with alfalfavalves attached to irrigation mainline.

2. Using post driver and surveyor measuring tape, drive sensor T-post 5feet away from the alfalfa valve, making sure to be on the downhillside.

3. Attach electronic box to T-post via the mounting screws.

4. Assure that the main power switch on the water-sensor unit's MCU isin the USB/DC position, and that LED enable DIP switch 1 is on, and 2 isoff.

5. Correctly insert 4 AA batteries into the water-senor unit's MCU.

6. Slide the main power switch on the board from USB/DC to BATT, turningthe unit on. A blue LED next to the switch should become illuminated.

7. Using the multimeter, probe the voltage between the SV powerconnector, and GND. If the reading is less than 4.SV, check the batteryplacement, and voltage. Don't continue until the voltage reads 4.SV ormore.

8. By hand, drive sensor and mounting steaks into the field, confirmingwith a measuring tape that it is located 5′ away from the alfalfa valveand that a ½ inch gap exists between the soil and the sensors bottomedge. Also confirm with level that the sensor is as level to the groundas possible.

9. Drive the ruler into the around so that that it is perpendicular tothe bottom of the sensor, making sure that the ruler is standingstraight up. The back of the ruler should be flush with the sensor.

10. Slowly open alfalfa valve handle and allow water to begin runningdown the field towards the sensor.

11. Monitor the sensor, and continue until the red LED lights up on theMCU.

12. Record the depth of the water in the appropriate section of thedatasheet.

13. Flip main power switch on the water-sensor unit's MCU to the USB/DCposition (off), and close the alfalfa valve.

14. Remove the sensor and wipe dry with the paper towels.

15. Remove electronic box from T-post, and use the post puller to removeT-post form the around,

16. Repeat steps 8-15, however this time drive sensor and T<post 10 feetaway from alfalfa valve. Mark the results in the appropriate section ofthe data sheet. Run test a third time, moving post and sensor out to 15feet. Mark the results in the appropriate section of the datasheet.

17. If any issues arose during testing, or if any additional continentsare necessary, record them in the additional notes section of the datasheet (excessive debris collection on sensor, mis-trigger of sensor,etc.).

18. Fill the bucket with water.

19. Dip the sensor in and out of the water and observe the behavior ofthe red LED. Mark the results in the appropriate section of thedatasheet.

The following procedure was used as the testing method related towireless communication:

20. Repeat steps 4-7 for the MCU representing the riser. At this point,both units should be on and both units' red LEDs should be off.

21. Submerge the water-sensor. The red LEDs on both units should lightup. The red LED on the riser MCU signifies wireless communication.

22. Taking the riser MCU in one hand, and the measuring wheel in theother, begin to walk in a straight line away from the water-sensor unit.Continue walking until the red LED on the riser MCU goes off. At thispoint, wireless communications have been lost (if limited area isavailable, this test can be concluded after 800 feet). Record thereading on the measuring wheel in the appropriate section of thedatasheet.

23. Turn both units off.

24. Mark any additional notes in the appropriate section of thedatasheet.

25. This concludes the test procedure.

It was determined that both tests met and surpassed the specification.

Test 3 —Riser Pressure Test:

The objective is to verify that riser will work at a max water linepressure of 20 psi. As such, the riser is tested with max water pressureat 20 psi.

In the field, the riser will be exposed to various flow rates andpressures based on the time of year. In the exemplary application, thefield's normal operating conditions in the summer are approximately 10feet of head. This results in a static pressure of approximately 4 psion the lid. In the winter the head can reach up to 15 feet, whichresults in about 6.5 psi. The spring and riser structure should operatewithout leaks at this pressure.

Taking the pressure of 6.5 psi and multiplying it by the area, thecorresponding force is determined. This force will be replicated with ause of a hydraulic press. The diameter of the main line is 12 inches,therefore, based on the max field pressure of 6.5 psi, this gives aforce of 735 lbs. The spring was tested at this pressure to make surethat it can hold back the water pressure. The factor of safety wasdetermined when the air spring is filled to 20 psi.

Because the hydraulic press has a very high cut in reading for thegauge, a spring will need to be placed between the test fixture and thepress. The deflection will be measured when a crack is seen between therubber and the main pipe, as if there would be a leak in the pipe.

List of Equipments:

Hydraulic press

Riser System Set up

Welder large enough to weld 3/16 inch steel

Test Fixture

Crescent wrench

Socket Wrench Set

Gas compressor

Stiff Spring with a known spring constant

Safety Glasses

Ear Protection

The following procedure was used as the testing method.

1. Test fixture must be fabricated if not already made. See drawingsattached in the back of test document,

2. Fabricate testing jig shown in drawings.

3. Disassemble lid and air spring from standard riser, and take supportstructure off of the base frame using socket wrench and crescent wrench,then attach air spring and lid to the test fixture, and test fixture tobase frame. Make sure to place testing jig into the riser assembly thatwill transmit load to the lid.

4. Place fully assembled test fixture in the hydraulic press upsidedown.

5. Inflate the air spring to approximately 22 psi to seal the 12 inchmain line.

6. Take the spring and place it in between the testing jig and thepress. If the spring does not have flat ends, place two flat pieces ofsteel on either end.

7. Measure the fully extended length of the spring, record length. Ifthe ends are not flat, measure and record the four corners of the flatplate.

8. Start applying force slowly in order to confirm that everything isproperly situated.

9. Apply force until there is a slight gap between the 12 in main line,and the rubber gasket on the lid.

10. Take the compressed measurement. Similar to step 7,

11. Release spring and put the original riser together.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary graph showing force vs. displacementunder a pressure test for a riser assembly of a flood irrigation systemaccording to an embodiment.

As discussed above, a hydraulic press was used to compress the airspring until a leak developed in the pressure test. A spring was used todetermine the force placed on the lid. Testing concluded that a 0.75″deflection was the max that the air spring could sustain withoutdeveloping a leak with a 20 psi pressure. Once the deflection wasdetermined, the spring constant needed to be solved for. A tensiontester was used to produce a force vs displacement curve, as shown inFIG. 7.

From this curve, it can be determined that the air spring sustained a925 lb force. This is larger than the 750 lb force that was required.This yields a factor of safety of 1.2. Therefore, the test was asuccess.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a communicationnetwork according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, communication network 1100 includes one or morenetworks, including wide-area network 1101, e.g., the Internet, companyor organization intranet, and/or sections of the Internet (e.g., virtualprivate networks, cloud, and the deep), and local-area network 1102,e.g., interconnected computers localized at a geographical and/ororganization location and ad-hoc networks connected using various wiredmeans, e.g., Ethernet, coaxial, fiber optic, and other wiredconnections, and wireless means, e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and otherwireless connections. Communication network 1100 includes a. number ofnetwork devices 1110-1115 that are in communication with the otherdevices through the various networks 1101 and 1102 and through othermeans, e.g., direct connection through an input/output port of a networkdevice 1130, direct connection through a wired or wireless means, andindirect connection through an input-output box, e.g., a switch.

Network devices 1110-1115, which may also connect through the networks1101 and 1102 using various routers, access points, and other means. Forexample, network device 1113 wirelessly connects to a base station 1158,which acts as an access point to the wide area network 1101. Basestation 1158 may be a cellular phone tower, a router or access point, orother devices that allow a network device, e.g., wireless network device1113, to connect to a network, e.g., wide area network 1101, through thebase station 1158. Base station 3158 may be connected directly tonetwork 1101 through a wired or wireless connection or may be routedthrough additional intermediate service providers or exchanges. Wirelessdevice 1113 connecting through base station 1158 may also act as amobile access point in an ad-hoc or other wireless network, providingaccess for network device 1115 through network device 1113 and basestation 1158 to network 1101.

In some scenarios, there may be multiple base stations, each connectedto the network 1101, within the range of network device 1113. Inaddition, a network device, e.g., network device 1113, may be travellingand moving in and out of the range of each of the multiple basestations. In such case, the base stations may perform handoff procedureswith the network device and other base stations to ensure minimalinterruption to the network device's connection to network 1101 when thenetwork device is moved out of the range of the handling base station.In performing the handoff procedure, the network device and/or themultiple base stations may continuously measure the signal strength ofthe network device with respect to each base station and handing off thenetwork device to another base station with a high signal strength tothe network device when the signal strength of the handling base stationis below a certain threshold.

In another example, a network device, e.g., network device 1115, maywirelessly connect with an orbital satellite 1152, e.g., when thenetwork device is outside of the range of terrestrial base stations. Theorbital satellite 1152 may be wirelessly connected to a terrestrial basestation that provides access to network 1101 as known in the art.

In other cases, orbital satellite 1152 or other satellites may provideother functions such as global positioning and providing the networkdevice with location information or estimations of location informationof the network device directly without needing to pass information tothe network 1101. The location information or estimation of locationinformation is known in the art. The network device may also usegeolocation methods, e.g., measuring and analyzing signal strength,using the multiple base stations to determine location without needingto pass information to the network 1101. In an embodiment, the globalpositioning functionality of the orbital satellite 1152 may use aseparate interface than the communication functionality of the orbitalsatellite 1152 (e.g., the global position functionality uses a separateinterface, hardware, software, or other components of the network device1113 than the communication functionality), In another embodiment, theorbital satellite with the global position functionality is a physicallyseparate satellite from the orbital satellite with communicationfunctionality.

In one scenario, network device, e.g., network device 1112, may connectto wide area network 1101 through the local area network 1102 andanother network device, e.g., network device 1110. Here, the networkdevice 1110 may be a server, router, gateway, or other devices thatprovide access to wide area network 1101 for devices connected withlocal area network 1102.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a flood irrigation systemaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, flood irrigation system 1200 may be deployed in anumber of fields that uses irrigation. The flood irrigation system 1200includes a number of riser devices 1210A-D and corresponding sensordevices 1220A-D. Each of the riser devices 1210A-D and sensor devices1220A-D may be powered by a number of ways as known now or may be laterderived (e.g., wind turbine 1231, solar panel 1232, batteries,electrical cabling, etc.).

It is noted here that flood irrigation system 1200 may include aplurality of the riser devices 1210A-D, which each may include the riserassembly 110 of the flood irrigation system 100, and a plurality of thecorresponding sensor devices 1220A-D, which each may include the sensorassembly 120). As such, the flood irrigation system 100 as shown in FIG.1 includes a set of the riser assembly 110 and the sensor assembly 120for a section of a field being deployed in, while the flood irrigationsystem 1200 as shown FIG. 12 may include multiple flood irrigationsystems 100 for one or more section (or whole) of a field being deployedin.

The flood irrigation system 1200 may be deployed in the field in avariety of arrangements. In a preferred embodiment, a riser device 1210Ais placed at a higher end of a slopped field. The corresponding sensordevice 1220A is placed at the lower end of a slopped field. When riserdevice 1210A is activated, water flows from the riser device 1210A atthe higher end of the field to the lower end assisted by gravity. Thewater is detected by the sensor device 1220A at the lower end of thefield. The other riser devices 1210B-D and the corresponding sensordevices 1220B-D may be placed at adjacent fields. For example, in aconfiguration, in fields separated by borders, each riser devices1210A-D and the corresponding sensor devices 1220A-D are deployed in oneof the fields. In other configurations, the riser devices 1210A-D andthe corresponding sensor devices 1220A-D may be placed as needed.

In an embodiment, the various components of the flood irrigation system1200 (e.g., sensor devices 1220A-D, riser devices 1210A-D) may beavailable as a kit for modifying or working with an existing floodirrigation system. For example, sensor devices 1220A-D may be added toan existing flood irrigation system at the end of the irrigation path.The riser devices 1210A-D may be added to replace the existing riserdevices in the existing flood irrigation system. The existing riserdevices may have electronics added to obtain the same functionalities asthe riser devices 1210A-D.

Further, the riser devices 1210A-D are used herein as an exemplaryembodiment. In other embodiments, other devices that correspond with thecontrol of water flow (e.g., gates, sprinklers, pumps) as now known ormay be later derived may be used.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a riser device for aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, a riser device 1300 may include electroniccomponents that include one or more processors 1303, storages 1308,memories 1302, and input and output interfaces 1304. A riser device mayor may not contain all of the above components depending on the purposeand use of the device. For example, the electronic components of a riserdevice 1300 may only be a dummy terminal that only requires an input andan output interface to send the input and receive the output from adevice that contains a processor for processing the input and outputs.

In a further embodiment, the riser device 1300 may be connected with oneor more displays, peripheral devices, and input devices. Displays may bevisible screens, audible speakers, Braille text devices, or otherdevices that output information to a user. Peripheral devices mayinclude printers, external storages, and other devices. Input devicesmay include keyboards, mice, and other input devices to inputinformation to the device 1300. The one or more devices may be connectedwith or integral to the device 1300. For example, a riser device 1300may have an integrated display which may pull up an input device, e.g.,a soft keyboard, in a touch screen of the display. Another device mayhave a separate display monitor connected to a display port, e.g., VGA,DVI, and HMMI, of the riser device 300 and a hardware keyboard connectedto the riser device 1300 through an input port, e.g., keyboard port andUSB. The displays, peripheral devices, and input devices facilitatelocal user input and output at the location of the riser device 1300.

In an embodiment, riser device 1300 may include network input and outputinterfaces 1331 for communication through communication network 1101 asone of the network devices 1110-1115. Network interfaces 1331 mayinclude wired and wireless interfaces, as described with respect to FIG.11, that connect the riser device 1300 to a network or other devices.The network interfaces 1331 are used to receive input (e.g.,instructions) to the riser device 1300 and transmit output (e.g., devicestatus and updates) from the riser device 1300 to the network or otherdevices.

In an embodiment, riser device 1300 may include a radio 1311. Radio 1311is configured for local (e.g., short-range) communication with localdevices (e.g., a corresponding sensor device) without the need tocommunicate through the network 1101. In an embodiment, the radio 1311may be used in complement to the network input and output interfaces1331. For example, radio 1311 may be used exclusively for communicationwith the corresponding sensor device while other communications are sentand received through the network input and output interfaces 1331. Inanother example, radio 1311 may be used as a back-up communicationoption (e.g., if network 1101 is unavailable).

In an embodiment, the riser device 1300 may be able to control variousmechanical components of the riser that control the functionalities ofthe riser. The riser control 1321 may include functionalities forcontrolling valves (e.g., for controlling the water flow rate) and othercomponents of the riser.

In an embodiment, riser device 1300 may include or receive inputs from anumber of sensors for procession and to transmit through the network.The riser device 1300 may include or receive input from water flow ratesensor 1313 for sensing the water flow rate from the riser. For example,the water flow rate may be used to measure and control the amount ofwater flowing from the riser. In one configuration, if the water flowrate is above a pre-determined amount, the riser device 1300 may controlvalves of the riser in order to slow the water flow rate to below thepre-determined amount (e.g., through the riser control 1321). In anotherconfiguration, if the water flow rate is below a pre-determined amount,the riser device 1300 may initiate a process to increase the water flowrate. For example, if the water source is linked to and is currently inuse by other devices (e.g., another riser), the riser device 1300 maycommunicate with the other devices (e.g., through radio 1311 or networkinterfaces 1331) to facilitate the sharing of the water supply (e.g.,shutting off the other devices or arrange an equitable distribution).The riser device 1300 may further raise an alert to a user definedmethod (e.g., email, text message, phone call) of the status of theriser device 300 and the water flow rate through the network 1101.

In a further embodiment, the riser device 1300 may include an irrigationtable (e.g., stored in the storage 1308) that includes irrigationparameters such as recommended moisture level, consumptive use rate,irrigation frequency, and other parameters. In an embodiment, theseparameters may be automatically downloaded from a network location(e.g., figures given at the U.S. Department of Agriculture website)through the network 1101. These figures may be used to set the waterflow rate amount as discussed above. In an embodiment, the figures mayalso be used to automatically determine the frequency of running theflood irrigation system 1200 and the riser device 1300. Further, theriser device 1300 may send the parameters or a specific parameter to thesensor device to set the sensor device to consider a detection of thewater flow only when the water has reached a certain concentration ordepth.

In another embodiment, the riser device 1300 may further include one ormore sensors for reading the soil moisture (e.g., to direct stopping theflow of water if the soil is wet), the instantaneous flow of water, thevolume of water that has flowed from any riser device (e.g., riserdevices 1210A-1210D), the amount of any fertilizer, pesticide,herbicide, or other substances that was added to the irrigation waterflow (e.g., for controlling an amount of the substances being added tothe irrigation water flow), the humidity, the wind speed and/ordirection, the solar radiation, and rainfall. In an embodiment, suchreadings may be included in the calculation or determination of thefigures as discussed above.

In an embodiment, conditions of the riser device 1300 (e.g., open andclose state of the riser device and the elapsed time since the currentstate (open/close) of the riser device) or readings from the sensors orother parameters/calculations as discussed above may be displayed and/orcommunicated in the display, communicated through the communicationnetwork 1101 (e.g, viewable at a web browser, cell phone alerts), orcommunicated through other means as known now or may be later derived.In another embodiment, the displayed and or communicated information mayinclude information gathered by and/or regarding other riser devices(e.g., riser devices 1210A-1210D) and/or sensor devices (e.g., sensordevices 1220A-1220D) and aggregated to provide more substantive overviewand/or convenient information.

In an embodiment, the riser device 1300 may raise an alert to a userdefined method (e.g., email, text message, phone call, app) of thestatus of the riser device 1300 and the water flow rate sensor 1313 (orother sensors). For example, if the water flow rate sensor 1313 hasdetected an abnormal water flow rate, which may be predetermined orcalculated through the irrigation parameters, an alert may be sent tothe user alerting for possible malfunction or maintenance issues.

In an embodiment, the riser device 1300 may substantially correspond tothe electronics of the riser assembly 110 (e.g., the electronics 130 andother components) as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a sensor device for aflood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, a sensor device 1400 may include electroniccomponents that include one or more processors 1406, storages 1408,memories 1402, and input and output interfaces 1404. A riser device mayor may not contain all of the above components depending on the purposeand use of the device. For example, the electronic components of asensor device 1400 may only be a dummy terminal that only requires aninput and an output interface to send the input and receive the outputfrom a device that contains a processor for processing the input andoutputs.

In a further embodiment, the sensor device 1400 may be connected withone or more displays, peripheral devices, and input devices. Displaysmay be visible screens, audible speakers, Braille text devices, or otherdevices that output information to a user. Peripheral devices mayinclude printers, external storages, and other devices. Input devicesmay include keyboards, mice, and other input devices to inputinformation to the device 1400. The one or more devices may be connectedwith or integral to the device 400. For example, a sensor device 1400may have an integrated display which may pull up an input device, e.g.,a soft keyboard, in a touch screen of the display. Another device mayhave a separate display monitor connected to a display port, e.g., VGA,DVI, and HDMI, of the sensor device 400 and a hardware keyboardconnected to the sensor device 1400 through an input port, e.g.,keyboard port and USB. The displays, peripheral devices, and inputdevices facilitate local user input and output at the location of thesensor device 1400.

In an embodiment, sensor device 1400 may include network input andoutput interfaces 1431 for communication through communication network1101 as one of the network devices 1110-1115. Network interfaces 1431may include wired and wireless interfaces, as described with respect toFIG. 11, that connect the sensor device 1400 to a network or otherdevices. The network interfaces 1431 is used to receive input (e.g.,instructions) to the sensor device 1400 and transmit output (e.g.,device status and updates) from the sensor device 1400 to the network orother devices.

In an embodiment, sensor device 1400 may include a radio 1422. Radio1422 is configured for local (e.g., short-range) communication withlocal devices (e.g., a corresponding riser device) without the need tocommunicate through the network 1101. In an embodiment, the radio 1422may be used in complement to the network input and output interfaces1431. For example, radio 1422 may be used exclusively for communicationwith the corresponding sensor device while other communications are sentand received through the network input and output interfaces 1431. Inanother example, radio 1422 may be used as a back-up communicationoption (e.g., if network 1101 is unavailable).

In an embodiment, sensor device 1400 may include or receive inputs froma number of sensors for procession and to transmit through the network.The sensor device 1400 may include or receive input from water sensor1411 for sensing the water from the riser. The water sensor 1411 may beof a type known now or later derived. For example, the water sensor 1411may detect water of a certain concentration or at a certain depth in thefield, which may be set to a pre-determined amount for activating thesensors of water sensor 1411.

In a further embodiment, the sensor device 1400 may include anirrigation table (e.g., stored in the storage 1408) that includesirrigation parameters such as recommended moisture level, consumptiveuse rate, irrigation frequency, and other parameters. In an embodiment,these parameters may be automatically downloaded from a network location(e.g., figures given at the U.S. Department of Agriculture website)through the network 1101. In an embodiment, the figures may be used toautomatically determine the detection setting of the water sensor 1411(e.g., water depth). Further, the sensor device 1400 may receive theparameters or a specific parameter from the riser device.

In another embodiment, the sensor device 1400 may further include one ormore sensors for reading the soil moisture (e.g., to direct stopping theflow of water if the soil is wet), the instantaneous flow of water, thevolume of water that has flowed from any riser device (e.g., sensordevices 1220A-1220D), the amount of any fertilizer, pesticide,herbicide, or other substances that was added to the irrigation waterflow (e.g., for controlling an amount of the substances being added tothe irrigation water flow), the humidity, the wind speed and/ordirection, the solar radiation, and rainfall. In an embodiment, suchreadings may be included in the calculation or determination of thefigures as discussed above.

In an embodiment, readings from the sensors or otherparameters/calculations as discussed above may be displayed and/orcommunicated in the display, communicated through the communicationnetwork 1101 (e.g, viewable at a web browser, cell phone alerts), orcommunicated through other means as known now or may be later derived.In another embodiment, the displayed and/or communicated information mayinclude information gathered by and/or regarding other riser devices(e.g., riser devices 1220A-1220D) and/or sensor devices (e.g., sensordevices 1220A-1220D) and aggregated to provide more substantive overviewand/or convenient information.

In an embodiment, the sensor device 1400 may raise an alert to a userdefined method (e.g., email, text message, phone call, app) of thestatus of the sensor device 1400 and the water sensor 1411 (or othersensors). For example, if the water sensor 1411 has not detected waterafter a certain time period, which may be predetermined or calculatedthrough the irrigation parameters, an alert may be sent to the useralerting for possible malfunction or maintenance issues.

In an embodiment, the sensor device 1400 may substantially correspondsto the electronics of the sensor assembly 120 (e.g., the electronics 122) as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a flood irrigationprocess for a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, the flood irrigation process 1500 starts withturning on the flood irrigation system 1511 (e.g., flood irrigationsystem 1200). As discussed with respect to FIG. 12, the flood irrigationsystem 1200 has been deployed prior to the start of the flood irrigationprocess 1500 and has a pre-defined arrangement of the riser devices1210A-D and the corresponding sensor devices 1220A-D. For example, thearrangement as illustrated in FIG. 2, which includes a riser device andthe corresponding sensor device at each bordered block of field wherethe next riser device and the corresponding sensor device is placed atthe next bordered block of field across the entire length of the field,may be used.

The flood irrigation starts with the first riser (e.g., riser device1210A) turned on. As water flows from the first riser at the first end,the water flows to the second end irrigating the field in between theends.

Next, the water is sensed by the corresponding water sensor of theturned on riser device 1513. As discussed, the corresponding watersensor (e.g., sensor device 1220A) is placed at the second end of theirrigating field. As the water from the riser flows to the second end,the water is sensed by the water sensor.

In decision diamond 1515, if the water is not sensed by the watersensor, the flood irrigation process 1500 returns to step 1513 tocontinue sensing for the water (e.g., water from the riser has not yetreached the second end). If water is sensed, the flood irrigationprocess 1500 moves on to step 1517.

In step 1517, the next riser is turned on in accordance with a patternor an arrangement of the riser devices. For example, in the arrangementas illustrated in FIG. 12, the pattern moves to turn on the riser device1210B during the turning off the riser device 1210A.

Next, the riser is turned off after the water is sensed 1519. In anembodiment, the sensor device may inform the riser device of the sensedwater through the radio 1422 or through the network 1101. This promptsthe riser device to turn off the water flow and thus would prevent waterrun-off after the field has been irrigated.

After the step 1519, the flood irrigation process 1500 cycles back tostep 1513 to sense the water was the corresponding sensor device of theturned on riser. For example, if riser device 1210B is turned on in step1517, the water would be sensed by the sensor device 1220B in the step1513 after the step 1519. In an embodiment, when the cycle reaches theend of the arrangement (e.g., riser device 1210D is turned off in theprevious step 1519), the pattern may cycle back to the first riserdevice (e.g., riser device 1210A). The flood irrigation process 1500 maybe manually turned off by a user at any point in the process (e.g., whenall the fields are thoroughly irrigated).

In an embodiment, a user may program or set the pattern according to acustomized arrangement of the riser and sensor devices. For example, theuser may set an arrangement pattern of irrigation for every other field(e.g., 1210A and 1210C), This may be useful where various types of cropsare grown on each field, and some fields may only need to be irrigatedhalf as much. The user may enter such programming using the local inputand output 1304 of the riser device 1300 and local input and output 1404of the sensor device 1400. in a further embodiment, multiple programmingmay be saved and activated from respective the storages 1308 and 1408.In an embodiment, the programming may be set to automatically run atvarious set times or detected conditions. For example, if it isdetermined that it has not rained for a certain period, a programmingmay run to irrigate the field with additional water.

In another embodiment, the user may program or set the pattern of theriser and sensor devices through the network 1101. For example, the usermay use an application on a cell phone, computer, or other networkdevices to program the riser device 1300 and sensor device 1400. Theapplication may contain a graphical interface of the field. In anembodiment, the user may set the actual deployed locations of the riserand sensor devices on the graphical interface and program the irrigationpattern.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a flood irrigationprocess for a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

The flood irrigation process 1600 is similar to the flood irrigationprocess 1500 but with an added check to turn off the flood irrigationsystem after a certain time has elapsed with no sensing of water. Forexample, this may be due to a malfunction of one or more of the riserdevice or the sensor device.

Referring to FIG. 16, the flood irrigation process 1600 starts withturning on the flood irrigation system 1611 (e.g., flood irrigationsystem 1200). As discussed with respect to FIG. 12, the flood irrigationsystem 1200 has been deployed prior to the start of the flood irrigationprocess 1600 and has a pre-defined arrangements of the riser devices1210A-D and the corresponding sensor devices 1220A-D. For example, thearrangement as illustrated in FIG. 12, which includes a riser device andthe corresponding sensor device at each bordered block of field wherethe next riser device and the corresponding sensor device is placed atthe next bordered block of field across the entire length of the field,may be used.

The flood irrigation starts with the first riser device 1210A) turnedon. As water flows from the first riser at the first end, the waterflows to the second end irrigating the field in between the ends.

Next, the water is sensed by the corresponding water sensor of theturned on riser device 1613. As discussed, the corresponding watersensor e.g., sensor device 1220A) is placed at the second end of theirrigating field. As the water from the riser flows to the second end,the water is sensed by the water sensor.

In decision diamond 1615, if the water is not sensed by the watersensor, the flood irrigation process 1600 returns to step 1613 tocontinue sensing for the water (e.g., water from the riser has not yetreached the second end). If water is sensed, the flood irrigationprocess 1600 moves on to decision diamond 1617.

In decision diamond 1617, if the water sensor did not sense any waterafter a predetermined period of time after the riser has turned on, theflood irrigation process 1600 moves to step 1623 to turn off the system.One effect of this is to prevent the flood irrigation system fromcontinuously running in the event of malfunctions of the variousdevices. In an embodiment, the predetermined period of time may be setin accordance with the water run-off rate or other parameters asdiscussed above.

In step 1619, the next riser is turned on in accordance with a patternor an arrangement of the riser devices. For example, in the arrangementas illustrated in FIG. 12, the pattern moves to turn on the riser device1210B after turning off the riser device 1210A.

Next, the riser is turned off after the water is sensed 1621. In anembodiment, the sensor device may inform the riser device of the sensedwater through the radio 1422 or through the network 1101. This promptsthe riser device to turn off the water flow and thus would prevent waterrun-off after the field has been irrigated.

After the step 1621, the flood irrigation process 1600 cycles back tostep 1613 to sense the water was the corresponding sensor device of theturned on riser. For example, if riser device 1210B is turned on in step1619, the water would be sensed by the sensor device 1220B in the step1613 after the step 1621. In an embodiment, when the cycle reaches theend of the arrangement riser device 1210D is turned off in the previousstep 1621), the pattern may cycle back to the first riser device (e.g.,riser device 1210A). The flood irrigation process 1600 may be manuallyturned off by a user at any point in the process (e.g., when all thefields are thoroughly irrigated).

In an embodiment, a user may program or set the pattern according to acustomized arrangement of the riser and sensor devices. For example, theuser may set an arrangement pattern of irrigation for every other field(e.g., 1210A and 1210C). This may be useful where various types of cropsare grown on each field, and some fields may only need to be irrigatedhalf as much. The user may enter such programming using the local inputand output 1304 of the riser device 1300 and local input and output 1404of the sensor device 1400. In a further embodiment, multiple programmingmay be saved and activated from respective the storages 1308 and 1408.In an embodiment, the programming may be set to automatically run atvarious set times or detected conditions. For example, if it isdetermined that it has not rained for a certain period, a programmingmay run to irrigate the field with additional water.

In another embodiment, the user may program or set the pattern of theriser and sensor devices through the network 1101. For example, the usermay use an application on a cell phone, computer, or other networkdevices to program the riser device 1300 and sensor device 1400. Theapplication may contain a graphical interface of the field. In anembodiment, the user may set the actual deployed locations of the riserand sensor devices on the graphical interface and program the irrigationpattern.

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a flood irrigationprocess for a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

The flood irrigation process 1700 is similar to flood irrigation process1500 but with an added check to turn off the flood irrigation systemafter a certain time has elapsed. For example, this may be due to amalfunction of one or more of the riser devices or the sensor device ordue to water restriction limiting the amount of time a field may beirrigated.

Referring to FIG. 17, the flood irrigation process 1700 starts withturning on the flood irrigation system 1711 (e.g., flood irrigationsystem 1200). As discussed with respect to FIG. 12, the flood irrigationprocess 1600 has been deployed prior to the start of the floodirrigation process 1700 and has a pre-defined arrangements of the riserdevices 1210A-D and the corresponding sensor devices 1220A-D. Forexample, the arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 12, which includes ariser device and the corresponding sensor device at each bordered blockof field where the next riser device and the corresponding sensor deviceis placed at the next bordered block of field across the entire lengthof the field, may be used.

The flood irrigation starts with the first riser (e.g., riser device1210A) turned on. As water flows from the first riser at the first end,the water flows to the second end irrigating the field in between theends.

Next, the water is sensed by the corresponding water sensor of theturned on riser device 1713. As discussed, the corresponding watersensor (e.g., sensor device 1220A) is placed at the second end of theirrigating field. As the water from the riser flows to the second end,the water is sensed by the water sensor.

In decision diamond 1715, if a predetermined period of time after theriser has turned on has passed, the flood irrigation process 1700 movesto step 1723 to turn off the system. One effect of this is to preventthe flood irrigation system from continuously running in the event ofmalfunctions of the various devices or due to water restriction limitingthe amount of time a field may be irrigated. In an embodiment, thepredetermined period of time may be set in accordance with the waterrun-off rate or other parameters as discussed above.

In decision diamond 1717, if the water is not sensed by the watersensor, the flood irrigation process 1700 returns to step 1713 tocontinue sensing for the water (e.g., water from the riser has not yetreached the second end). If water is sensed, the flood irrigationprocess 1700 moves on to decision diamond 1717.

In step 1719, the next riser is turned on in accordance with a patternor an arrangement of the riser devices. For example, in the arrangementas illustrated in FIG. 12, the pattern moves to turn on the riser device1210B after turning off the riser device 1210A.

Next, the riser is turned off after the water is sensed 1721. In anembodiment, the sensor device may inform the riser device of the sensedwater through the radio 1422 or through the network 1101. This promptsthe riser device to turn off the water flow and thus would prevent waterrun-off after the field has been irrigated.

After the step 1721, the flood irrigation process 1700 cycles back tostep 1713 to sense the water was the corresponding sensor device of theturned on riser. For example, if riser device 1210B is turned on in step1719, the water would be sensed by the sensor device 1220B in the step1713 after the step 7121. In an embodiment, when the cycle reaches theend of the arrangement (e.g., riser device 1210D is turned off in theprevious step 1721), the pattern may cycle back to the first riserdevice (e.g., riser device 1210A). The flood irrigation process 1700 maybe manually turned off by a user at any point in the process (e.g., whenall the fields are thoroughly irrigated).

In an embodiment, a user may program or set the pattern according to acustomized arrangement of the riser and sensor devices. For example, theuser may set an arrangement pattern of irrigation for every other field(e.g., 1210A and 1210C). This may be useful where various types of cropsare grown on each field, and some fields may only need to be irrigatedhalf as much. The user may enter such programming using the local inputand output 1304 of the riser device 1300 and local input and Output 1404of the sensor device 1400. In a further embodiment, multiple programmingmay be saved and activated from respective the storages 1308 and 1408.In an embodiment, the programming may be set to automatically run atvarious set times or detected conditions. For example, if it isdetermined that it has not rained for a certain period, a programmingmay run o irrigate the field with additional water.

In another embodiment, the user may program or set the pattern of theriser and sensor devices through the network 1101. For example, the usermay use an application on a cell phone, computer, or other networkdevices to program the riser device 1300 and sensor device 1400. Theapplication may contain a graphical interface of the field. In anembodiment, the user may set the actual deployed locations of the riserand sensor devices on the graphical interface and program the irrigationpattern.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary flow diagram of a service alert processfor a flood irrigation system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, at the start 1810 of the service alert process1800, the flood irrigation system 1200 may be in active (e.g., the riserdevices 1300 and the sensor devices 1400 are running) or dormant (e.g.,the riser devices 1300 and the sensor devices 1400 are shut off) state.In an embodiment, the flood irrigation system 1200 may further include anumber of other devices such as a surveillance system (e.g., an infraredcamera for monitoring the area of the flood irrigation system 1200 atall times).

In step 1820, the flood irrigation system 1200 is monitored for systemand sensors statuses. The sensors may include sensors on the riserdevice (e.g., water flow rate sensor 1313), the sensor device (e.g.,water sensor 1411), the power sources (e.g., voltmeter on wind turbine1231 or solar panel 1232), surveillance system (e.g., motion, infrared,and other sensors), or other devices.

Next, in decision diamond 1830, it is determined if there is any systemexception. In an instance, an abnormal value for a sensor may indicate amalfunction of a device and may raise an exception. In another instance,a successful completion of a flood irrigation system programming mayraise an exception designed to inform the user of the status andprogress of the flood irrigation system. In an embodiment, theexceptions may be defined by the user and may include the achievement ofany status or sensor values of the flood irrigation system.

Next, the service alert process 800 updates the flood irrigation systemand the sensors statuses to the user 1840. For example, the user maydefine certain methods of communication to receive the service alert,including telephonic call, text, email, application alert (e.g., on alaptop mobile device), or other methods. In an embodiment, the floodirrigation system may send the service alert through the network 1101 orusing the radio of the various devices. In an embodiment, the servicealert may include visual, sound, text, or other data (e.g., from thesurveillance system).

Next, the service alert process 1800 may optionally initiate a servicecall through the network 1850. For example, if the flood irrigationsystem or some components of the flood irrigation system are maintainedor supported by a third party service other than the user, the floodirrigation system 1200 may send the service alert directly to the thirdparty service (e.g., a malfunction of components of the flood irrigationsystem).

To avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure, the precedingdescription may omit a number of known structures and devices. Thisomission is not to be construed as a limitation of the scopes of theclaims. Specific details are set forth to provide an understanding ofthe present disclosure. It should however be appreciated that thepresent disclosure may be practiced in a variety of ways beyond thespecific detail set forth herein.

Furthermore, while the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations illustrated herein show the various components of thesystem collocated, certain components of the system can be locatedremotely, at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a LANand/or the Internet, or within a dedicated system. Thus, it should beappreciated, that the components of the system can be combined into oneor more devices, or collocated on a particular node of a distributednetwork, such as an analog and/or digital telecommunications network, apacket-switch network, or a circuit-switched network. It will beappreciated from the preceding description, and for reasons ofcomputational efficiency, that the components of the system can bearranged at any location within a distributed network of componentswithout affecting the operation of the system. For example, the variouscomponents can be located in a switch such as a PBX and media server,gateway, in one or more communications devices, at one or more users'premises, or sonic combination thereof. Similarly, one or morefunctional portions of the system could be distributed between atelecommunications device(s) and an associated computing device.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the various links connectingthe elements can be wired or wireless links, or any combination thereof,or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable ofsupplying and/or communicating data to and from the connected elements.These wired or wireless links can also be secure links and may becapable of communicating encrypted information. Transmission media usedas links, for example, can be any suitable carrier for electricalsignals, including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, and maytake the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated duringradio-wave and infra-red data communications.

Also, while the flowcharts have been discussed and illustrated inrelation to a particular sequence of events, it should be appreciatedthat changes, additions, and omissions to this sequence can occurwithout materially affecting the operation of the disclosed embodiments,configuration, and aspects.

A number of variations and modifications of the disclosure can be used.It would be possible to provide for some features of the disclosurewithout providing others.

In yet another embodiment, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented in conjunction with a special purpose computer, aprogrammed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integratedcircuit element(s), an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digitalsignal processor, a hard-wired electronic or logic circuit such as adiscrete element circuit, a programmable logic device or gate array suchas PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, special purpose computer, any comparable means,or the like. In general, any device(s) or means capable of implementingthe methodology illustrated herein can be used to implement the variousaspects of this disclosure. Exemplary hardware that can be used for thedisclosed embodiments, configurations and aspects includes computers,handheld devices, telephones (e.g., cellular, Internet enabled, digital,analog, hybrids, and others), and other hardware known in the art. Someof these devices include processors (e.g., a single or multiplemicroprocessors), memory, nonvolatile storage, input devices, and outputdevices. Furthermore, alternative software implementations including,but not limited to, distributed processing or component/objectdistributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machineprocessing can also be constructed to implement the methods describedherein.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be readilyimplemented in conjunction with software using object or object-orientedsoftware development environments that provide portable source code thatcan be used on a variety of computer or workstation platforms.Alternatively, the disclosed system may be implemented partially orfully in hardware using standard logic circuits or VLSI design. Whethersoftware or hardware is used to implement the systems in accordance withthis disclosure is dependent on the speed and/or efficiency requirementsof the system, the particular function, and the particular software orhardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems beingutilized.

In yet another embodiment, the disclosed methods may be partiallyimplemented in software that can be stored on a storage medium, executedon programmed general-purpose computer with the cooperation of acontroller and memory, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, orthe like. In these instances, the systems and methods of this disclosurecan be implemented as a program embedded on a personal computer such asan applet, JAVA® or CGI script, as a resource residing on a server orcomputer workstation, as a routine embedded in a dedicated measurementsystem, system component, or the like. The system can also beimplemented by physically incorporating the system and/or method into asoftware and/or hardware system.

Although the present disclosure describes components and functionsimplemented in the aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations withreference to particular standards and protocols, the aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations are not limited to such standards andprotocols. Other similar standards and protocols not mentioned hereinare in existence and are considered to be included in the presentdisclosure. Moreover, the standards and protocols mentioned herein andother similar standards and protocols not mentioned herein areperiodically superseded by faster or more effective equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Such replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents included in thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes components, methods, processes, systems and/orapparatus substantially as depicted and described herein, includingvarious aspects, embodiments, configurations embodiments, subcombinations, and/or subsets thereof. Those of skill in the art willunderstand how to make and use the disclosed aspects, embodiments,and/or configurations after understanding the present disclosure. Thepresent disclosure, in various aspects, embodiments, and/orconfigurations, includes providing devices and processes in the absenceof items not depicted and/or described herein or in various aspects,embodiments, and/or configurations hereof, including in the absence ofsuch items as may have been used in previous devices or processes, e.g.,for improving performance, achieving ease and/or reducing cost ofimplementation.

The foregoing discussion has been presented for purposes of illustrationand description. The foregoing is not intended to limit the disclosureto the form or forms disclosed herein, In the foregoing description forexample, various features of the disclosure are grouped together in oneor more aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. The features of the aspects, embodiments,and/or configurations of the disclosure may be combined in alternateaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations other than those discussedabove, This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflectingan intention that the claims require more features than are expresslyrecited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoingdisclosed aspect, embodiment, and/or configuration. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into this description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separate preferred embodiment of thedisclosure.

Moreover, though the description has included a description of one ormore aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations and certain variationsand modifications, other variations, combinations, and modifications arewithin the scope of the disclosure, e.g., as may be within the skill andknowledge of those in the art, after understanding the presentdisclosure. It is intended to obtain rights which include alternativeaspects, embodiments, and/or configurations to the extent permitted,including alternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures,functions, ranges or steps to those claimed, whether or not suchalternate, interchangeable and/or equivalent structures, functions,ranges or steps are disclosed herein, and without intending to publiclydedicate any patentable subject matter.

1. A riser assembly, comprising: a support structure; an actuationmechanism coupled to the support structure for opening and closing a lidassembly, wherein the lid assembly impedes a flow of water from a riservalve in a closed position and releases the flow of water from the riservalve in an opened position; and an electronic control for controllingthe actuation mechanism to open and close the lid assembly, theelectronic control comprising: a processor; and a wireless communicationinterface; the wireless communication interface is configured to receivea signal from a corresponding sensor assembly when the correspondingsensor assembly senses a flood condition to control the actuationmechanism to close the lid assembly, wherein the actuation mechanismcomprises a compressed gas mechanism, and wherein the compressed gasmechanism comprises a compressed gas vessel, a gas regulator, and an airspring, wherein the air spring compresses to open the lid assembly anddecompresses to close the lid assembly.
 2. The riser assembly of claim1, further comprising a power supply.
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. Theriser assembly of claim 1, wherein the air regulator includes asolenoid, the solenoid controlling a path of gas from the compressed gasvessel for compressing or decompressing the air spring.
 6. The riserassembly of claim 1, wherein the electromechanical mechanism comprisesone of a motor driven screw mechanism and a scissor jack mechanism.
 7. Aflood irrigation system comprising the riser assembly of claim 1 and thecorresponding sensor assembly, wherein the riser assembly is deployed ata location proximate to the riser valve and the sensor assembly isdeployed at a location proximate to where water from the riser valve isexpected to flood.
 8. A flood irrigation system, comprising: a pluralityof riser devices; and a plurality of corresponding sensor devices eachin wireless communication with one of the riser device, wherein each ofthe riser device is deployed at a location proximate to a riser valveand configured to release water from the riser valve for flooding aportion of a field, wherein the corresponding sensor device is deployedat a location proximate to where the water from the riser valve isexpected to flood, wherein the corresponding sensor device is configuredto send a wireless signal to the riser device that the correspondingsensor device is in wireless communication with to stop releasing thewater when the corresponding sensor device senses a flood condition, andwherein at least one of the riser devices is in wireless communicationwith at least another one of the riser devices, and wherein the oneriser device is configured to send a wireless signal to the another oneriser device to release water from the riser valve corresponding to theanother one riser device when the one riser device stops releasing thewater.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The flood irrigation system of claim 8, whereinthe another one riser device is in wireless communication with a secondone of the riser devices, and wherein the another one riser device isconfigured to send a wireless signal to the second one riser device torelease water from the riser valve corresponding to the second one riserdevice when the another one riser device stops releasing the water inaccordance to a pre-determined pattern.
 11. The flood irrigation systemof claim 8, wherein each of the riser devices comprises: a supportstructure; an actuation mechanism coupled to the support structure foropening and closing a lid assembly, wherein the lid assembly impedes aflow of water from the riser valve corresponding to the riser device ina closed position and releases the flow of water from the riser valve inan opened position; and an electronic control for controlling theactuation mechanism to open and close the lid assembly, the electroniccontrol comprising: a processor; and a wireless communication interface;the wireless communication interface is configured to receive thewireless signal from the corresponding sensor device.
 12. The floodirrigation system of claim 11, wherein the actuation mechanism comprisesa compressed gas vessel, a gas regulator, and an air spring, wherein theair spring compresses to open the lid assembly and decompresses to closethe lid assembly.
 13. The flood irrigation system of claim 12, whereinthe gas regulator includes a solenoid, the solenoid controlling a pathof gas from the compressed gas vessel for compressing or decompressingthe air spring. 14-20. (canceled)
 21. The riser assembly of claim 5,wherein the solenoid comprises a 3-way normally open (3WNO) magneticlatching solenoid valve.
 22. The flood irrigation system of claim 13,wherein the solenoid comprises a 3-way normally open (3WNO) magneticlatching solenoid valve.